Limen vs BuildZoom
Data you own, not referrals you rent
BuildZoom takes a commission on projects they refer. Limen gives you direct access to permit data for a flat monthly fee — the leads are yours.
What is BuildZoom?
BuildZoom is a contractor marketplace that matches homeowners with contractors using permit data as a trust signal. They take a commission (typically 2.5%) on referred projects. Following their 2023 acquisition, the platform's future direction remains uncertain.
Why contractors choose Limen
Flat subscription vs commission model
No commission fees
BuildZoom takes a 2.5% commission on projects they refer to you. On a $50K project, that's $1,250. Limen is $99/mo flat — you keep 100% of every job.
Direct data access
BuildZoom uses permit data internally to rank contractors. Limen gives you the raw data directly — search, filter, export, and build your own pipeline.
Predictable cost
With BuildZoom, your cost scales with project size. With Limen, you pay the same $99/mo whether you're closing $10K or $500K projects.
No acquisition uncertainty
BuildZoom was acquired in 2023, and the platform's roadmap is unclear. Limen is independently operated and actively building new features.
Feature comparison
| Feature | Limen | BuildZoom |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | $99/mo flat | 2.5% commission per project |
| Direct data access | ||
| Self-serve signup | ||
| Email alerts | ||
| CSV export | ||
| Coverage | 108+ cities, 4 states | National |
| Permit data | Direct access | Used internally for ranking |
| Commission-free | ||
| Free tier | ||
| Actively maintained | Uncertain (acquired 2023) |
Pricing at a glance
BuildZoom
2.5% commission
Per-project fee. $1,250 on a $50K job.
Frequently asked questions
How is Limen different from BuildZoom?
BuildZoom is a contractor marketplace that takes a commission on referred projects. Limen gives you direct access to public permit data for a flat $99/mo — no commission, no marketplace.
Is BuildZoom still active?
BuildZoom was acquired in 2023. While the platform still operates, its long-term roadmap is unclear. Limen is independently operated and actively shipping new features.
Do I need both Limen and BuildZoom?
They serve different purposes. BuildZoom is a marketplace for getting matched with homeowners. Limen is a data tool for finding projects proactively through permit records. Many contractors use Limen as their primary lead source.
What's the real cost difference?
Limen costs $99/mo regardless of project size. BuildZoom's 2.5% commission means you'd pay $250 on a $10K job and $2,500 on a $100K job. The math favors Limen quickly.
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